Camera Thief

The date was Tuesday, March 5, 2002. I and my mom were at a nearby Walgreens. It was after I came home from school that we both made our way there by cab.

After my mom got done shopping, we made our way to the checkout. And as we were about to leave, I saw this cool camera. It was kind of expensive though.

Therefore, I proceeded to ask my mom if we could get that camera. "Mom, can we get that camera?", I said. "I'm afraid not.", my mom said.

Meanwhile, the cashier was handling all the items my mom purchased there. "Why not?! It's a nice camera. It would come in handy for taking pictures of Two Seconds To Detroit performing. Can we please get it, mom?!", I said. Then my mom proceeded to reply.

"I said no, and that's final.", my mom said. Then I just sighed. "Alright, fine!", I said.

Then the cashier was just about finished. The male cashier was handing my mom all the items she purchased in multiple Walgreens bags along with her receipt. But as the cashier was handing my mom the bags, I came up with a dumb idea.

I decided to steal the camera. I looked at the camera for a moment. Then I looked at my mom and the cashier. Then I looked back at the camera.

Then I stole the camera. I took it and hid it in one of my coat pockets. It was still winter which explains the reason I had a coat on, and my mom had a coat on as well.

Then the cashier handed my mom her bags and her receipt, and we went on our way. Then a female security guard proceeded to stop both of us before we left. "Hold up! Stop right there young man!", said the security guard.

Then we both stopped right there. We both turned around. "What's the problem?", my mom said.

"Is that your son ma'am?", said the security guard. "Yes, he is! Is there a problem here?", my mom said. "There sure is! I caught this little fella stealing something, and put it in one of his coat pockets.", said the security guard.

"He did what?!", my mom said. "Alright, empty your coat pockets kid.", said the security guard. Then I did what the security guard told me to do.

Then I pulled out the camera. My mom's jaws dropped. "Jamal, what has gotten into you?!", my mom said.

I was in a world of trouble that day. I had a fearful look on my face. I was afraid of getting arrested.

"I'll be taking that camera.", said the security guard. "Oh, of course, here you go! I'm so sorry!", said my mom as she handed the camera to the security guard. "Not a problem ma'am.", said the security guard.

"We're gonna have a long talk about this back home!", my mom said to me. She was really upset with me. "Am I going to jail?!", I said in my fearful voice.

"No, you're just a kid. But if we catch you stealing something from here again, you'll find yourself in juvenile. Or kids jail if you don't know what juvenile is. Understood?", said the security guard. "Understood.", I said. "Great, I'm glad we have an understanding.", said the security guard.

Then the security guard left with the camera in her hand. Our cab arrived, and I and my mom left the store to walk to the cab. We went into the cab and headed back to the apartment complex.

***

We made it back to the apartment complex. After my mom finished unpacking the Walgreens bags, she called my name from the living room. "Jamal, come here please!", my mom said.

Then I left my room to go into the living room. I arrived in the living room. "Have a seat.", my mom said.

Then I took a seat on the living room couch. "I've decided that you're grounded for a couple of weeks.", my mom said. "Grounded? I've never been grounded before. I've heard the word before, but I don't know what it means. What does it mean to be grounded?", I said.

"Being grounded means you won't be able to leave your room for anything whatsoever unless it's for any important activity like coming out for dinner.", my mom said. "That means no hanging out with any of your friends.", my mom said. "But mom, I have to record my friends' band practice sessions!", I said.

"I'm sorry, but stealing will not be tolerated in this household! Not while you're under my roof!", my mom said. "Are we understood?!", my mom said. "Understood.", I said.

"Good.", my mom said. "Now you can start your punishment by going to your room.", my mom said. Then I got up and went to my room.

***

Later that evening, my mom came into my room. "Mom, can you knock first?!", I said as I was watching TV. Then my mom took away the home phone in my room.

"Mom, what in the world are you doing?!", I said. "I've decided to take away your home phone while you're grounded.", my mom said. "But mom, I use that to communicate with my friends!", I said.

"I don't care! It's going mister!", my mom said. "And if I catch you stealing something else again, you'll be grounded with no TV.", my mom said. Then my mom took away my phone.

***

It was now Wednesday. I was getting ready to go to school. Once I was fully ready for school, the school bus arrived.

I made my way to the school bus on another pretty chilly morning in March. I got on the bus and sat next to Steve. "Hey man.", said Steve. "What's up.", I said.

"You won't believe this. I got grounded for the first time.", I said. "For what?", said Steve. "I stole something at a store.", I said.

"How long are you gonna be grounded?", said Steve. "Two long weeks.", I said. "I won't be able to socialize or hang out with the group unless we are all at school.", I said.

"I won't be able to record any of the band's practice sessions.", I said. "That won't be a problem dude.", said Steve. "We can just practice without recording or get somebody else to do it for us.", said Steve.

"Well, I'm happy to know it won't be a problem with you guys.", I said. "We can talk about it later on at lunch or recess.", said Steve. "Good idea man. Everybody else needs to know that I won't be doing any recording for a while.", I said.

"So, Jamal is grounded, huh?", said Kevin sitting behind the both of us. "You were listening to our whole conversation?", said Steve. "Yep.", said Kevin.

"And did I mention this is my first time being grounded? I've learned what the word means too.", I said. "Hey, you're not alone. I and Steve have been grounded before.", said Kevin. "What did you do guys do to get grounded?", I said.

"We can all talk about it later.", said Steve. "Yeah, and besides, we're not the ones that grounded.", said Kevin. "What did you steal by the way?", said Steve.

"I stole this camera I wanted. I wanted to use it to record the band's performances and practice sessions, but my mom said we couldn't get it.", I said. "But why steal?", said Kevin. "I'll explain later on today.", I said.

Then the school bus ride continued. It was still a pretty chilly morning. It was so chilly that it still felt like February.

It was lunchtime later on that day. We were all sitting in the lunchroom just talking. Then Steve bought up something very important.

"Hey everybody, Jamal got grounded?", said Steve. "Oh yeah? For doing what?", said Brad. "He stole something.", said Kevin.

"Yeah, and he won't be there to record any of the band's performance and practice sessions for about two weeks since that's how long he's grounded for.", said Steve. "Why would you steal something, Jamal?", said Amanda. "I didn't know stealing was bad.", I said.

"You didn't think stealing was bad?! Of course, it's bad!", said Amanda. "Yeah, what were you thinking Jamal?", said, Ariana. "I was gonna use the camera for the band's practice sessions and performance sessions, but now that I think about it, it was a pretty stupid idea to steal it.", I said.

"Have you ever thought about getting a job to work for that camera?", said Nathan. "A job? I'm only 8 years old Nathan.", I said. "Yeah Nathan, at that age, your only job should be school.", said Steve.

"Yeah, but that's not a job Steve.", said Kevin. "Well, it is to me.", said Steve. "Anyways, it's cool with everybody that I won't be part of the band's activities for a few weeks?", I said.

"Of course it's cool with us.", said Amanda. "Alright, cool. And just to let you all know, I won't be able to hang out with you all during the time I'm grounded. But that excludes when we're all at school.", I said. "That's also cool with us.", said Amanda.

"And I can't talk with any of you on the phone either while I'm grounded.", I said. "Wow, you got a strict mom.", said Brad. "Tell me about it, Brad.", I said.

"Well then, I guess that's settled.", I said. Then we all continued with our day while I was continuing with my punishment. And it was only a short time until was lunch was over.

***

Later on that Wednesday, the whole band got together to start practicing. They all gathered together in the basement of the apartment complex once again. But I wasn't there this time as I was still serving my punishment.

"Alright, what song should we practice today?", said Steve. "Everybody bought their song lists with them?", said Kevin. Then everybody pulled out all of their list of songs that they think Two Seconds To Detroit should practice.

"Alright, let's start practicing.", said Steve. "Wait, I've something to ask you, Steve.", said Amanda. "Alright, what's the question, Amanda?", said Steve.

"Have you found anybody to take Jamal's place yet while he's still grounded.", said Amanda. "Unfortunately, no.", said Steve. "Who do you think it should Steve?", said, Ariana.

"I think it should be one of Steve's younger brothers.", said Brad. "What? No way man!", said Steve. "Why not Steve?", said Nathan.

"I don't think those two would know how to even work a camcorder.", said Steve. "They probably make poor quality videos of the band.", said Steve. "Yeah, I'm gonna have to agree with Steve on this one.", said Kevin.

"And they're still too young to be working a camcorder along with performing in the band. Maybe in a couple of years, but Jamal will be ungrounded by then.", said Steve. "Alright, well, I guess we better get to practicing.", said Brad. Then that's exactly what Two Seconds To Detroit started doing.

Even later on that Wednesday, it was Wednesday evening. I was still in my room serving my punishment. It was pretty late in the evening. And by late, I mean 11ish.

It was almost time for me to go to bed, and get ready for school the next day. My mom came into my room without knocking once again. "Ugh, why do you keep doing that mom?!", I said.

"Doing what?", my mom said. "Coming into my room without knocking. That's pretty rude isn't it?", I said. "I just came in to tell you that's it's almost time to hit the sack. The weekend doesn't start tomorrow.", my mom said.

Then I just sighed. "Alright, mom. I'll be getting ready for bed shortly.", I said. Then my mom was just about to leave my room.

"Wait! Mom?!", I said. Then my mom turned right back around to listen to what I had to say next. "I'm sorry about what I did at the Walgreens this past Tuesday.", I said.

"Well, everything in this world not free.", my mom said. "Hopefully, this punishment will teach you a valuable lesson in the long run.", my mom said. "Now go get ready for bed before I make it three weeks.", my mom said.

"Alright, mom.", I said. Then she left my room. Then I got up and got ready for school which was the next day.

After I got ready for bed, I got into bed. I proceeded to close my eyes and fall asleep. After I fell asleep, I was sleeping peacefully before I had a nightmare.

And then the nightmare started. This is how it started. It started with me serving time in juvenile.

I was sitting in my juvenile cell just bored out of my mind. This juvenile security guard was walking by all the juvenile cells, and checking on all the prisoners of the juvenile facility. It was almost time for lunch.

But this wasn't gonna be the usual lunch I had at school. It was gonna be very different and much worse than the usual lunches I used to be served at school. Then the male security guard finally said something.

"Alright, you little troublemakers! It's time for lunch! Everybody out of their cells!", said the security guard. Then all the cells opened. Everybody got out and headed for the lunchroom.

Then all of the prisoners went into the lunchroom. We all lined up to get served lunch just like at my school. The only thing we got served was bread and water.

Yeah, it was something, but it wasn't even close to as good as the usual lunches I ate at school. I then got my lunch and sat down to eat. I started eating and started thinking about my friends who weren't there like they usually were at lunchtime.

Then I got done eating. As I got up from the lunchroom table, one of the security guards came up to me. "You've got a phone call.", said the male security guard.

"Alright, I'll be right there.", I said. Then that security guard left. Then I made my move over to the phone.

Once I arrived, one of the security guards handed me the phone. I had the phone in my hand. "Hello?", I said.

"Hey Jamal, it's Amanda!", said Amanda. "Oh, hey!", I said. "How have you been?", said Amanda.

"Just horrible. If I hadn't stolen that PlayStation 2 five years ago, I wouldn't get fed bread and water every meal every day.", I said. "Yeah, well, now it's 2007. And Cody and Matthew are now in our band.", said Amanda. "Oh yeah? Cool! Tell them I said hi.", I said.

"Okay, I will. I just wish you were here to record us.", said Amanda. "Yeah, I wish so too. I've served so much time in juvenile that I'm now an adolescent.", I said. "Sadly, you have to spend the remainder of your childhood in juvenile for trying to steal that PlayStation console back when you were 8.", said Amanda.

"I agree. I should've never did what I did that day. I should've just got a job and earned it. Or waited until Christmas for Santa to give me my PS2.", I said. "Well, I just wanted to call and say hi since we haven't talked in like over a year.", said Amanda. "Yeah, we use to talk almost every day back when we were both in elementary school.", I said.

"Yeah, those were some good times back then.", said Amanda. "I can't wait until I turn 18, so I'll be able to get out of this terrible place.", I said. "That's still 5 years away. Well, I gotta go. It's time for Two Seconds To Detroit to start practicing again. Oh, and Kevin left the band to pursue a solo career at 15.", said Amanda. "Wow?! I sure am missing out on a lot. When did this happen?", I said.

"Just this year.", said Amanda. "That's awesome! I'm so happy for him.", I said. "I'll tell him you just said that.", said Amanda.

"Well, it's about time for me to go. Bye!", said Amanda. Then Amanda suddenly hung up her iPhone. Then I hung up the phone from the juvenile feeling really sad and disappointed.

I wasted all that time in juvenile just because of one stupid decision I decided to make. If only I made the right decision, I wouldn't find myself throwing away five years of my life. Then another five years that was soon to follow in the dream.

"Alright, you little troublemakers! Back to your cells!", said one of the male security guards. Then all of us proceeded to head back to our assigned cells. Everybody went into their cells along with me, and all the cells closed once again.

In my cell, I picked up a dumbbell and used it to get stronger. And the same security guard from before resumed checking on every juvenile cellmate in the building. Then I woke up in the overnight hours and realized that it was all just a dream. And I was so relieved that I didn't waste ten whole years of my life after all.

I was relieved because there would probably be no way I could make up for a decade of my life being lost. After I was relieved that it was just a dream, I went back to sleep while it was still a pretty dark morning outside. It wasn't quite time to go to school again just yet, but it was about four in the morning.

***

It was now Thursday morning. After I and Steve got fully ready for school, we both got on the school bus. Steve got on the school bus first after it arrived in front of the apartment complex.

I got on the bus after him, and Kevin got on the bus after me. I sat down next to Steve. Then Kevin sat down on the seat behind both of us.

"Dude, I had this really weird dream last night.", I said. "If I had to take a guess, it would be about the camera incident.", said Steve. "Correct.", I said.

"Well, let's hear the story man!", said Kevin. "Okay, I dreamed that I was arrested for stealing, and ended up in juvenile.", I said. "Then a few weeks passed and everything was back to normal?", said Steve. "Not quite Steve.", I said.

"This dream was way worse than just a few weeks.", I said. "I dreamed that I stole a Sony PlayStation 2 that I wanted at this random GameStop. Then once I got caught attempting to steal a PS2, I ended up spending the remainder of my childhood in juvenile.", I said. "You mean for like the next ten years?", said Kevin.

"Yeah.", I said. "And what makes the dream even more sad and depressing is that it was now 2007, and I halfway through the time I was serving.", I said. "Then I got a phone call from Amanda inside the juvenile.", I said.

"Wait, it was 2007?! That means we're officially teenagers by that time!", said Steve. "Yeah, exactly.", I said. "Anyways, she gave me some news on a few things that have happened while I've been in juvenile.", I said.

"Cody and Matthew joined the band, and you left the band to start your solo career, Kevin.", I said. "Now this is starting to sound like my kind of dream.", said Kevin. "Anything else you want us to know about this dream Jamal?", said Steve.

"We got served bread and water every meal. Every day.", I said. "Yeah, I can't imagine being served the same thing every meal every day. There comes a point in time when you'll get sick of the same food.", said Steve. "Yeah, but overall, I think the dream has taught me a few valuable lessons.", I said.

"One of them being that I'll be the best solo artist in the world in about a half-decade.", said Kevin. "Time is so precious. Every decision we make affects our lives no matter how big or small. And I should start making the right decisions from now on. Or I might end up wasting some years I'll never be able to get back.", I said. "Well, that probably means that you won't be doing anymore stealing for a long, long time.", said Steve.

"Yeah, no more stealing from now on. Because I don't wanna miss a thing in this lifetime or be labeled a criminal.", I said. "And I'm missing out on a lot already with me being grounded.", I said. "Well, we're both glad that the dream opened your eyes to things more important than some camera.", said Kevin.

***

It was now March 17, 2002. And March 17 meant that it was St. Patrick's Day. It was a Sunday, and Two Seconds To Detroit got together to practice and perform some St. Patrick's Day songs in celebration of the holiday.

"Well, it looks like we're all here.", said Steve. "Yeah, but I'm bummed that we won't be able to record our St. Patty's Day performance since Jamal is still grounded.", said, Ariana. "I and Steve fixed that problem just for today.", said Kevin.

"Oh, so you finally got Cody or Matthew to do the recording.", said Nathan. "No, we haven't Nathan.", said Steve. "We got our mom to do the recording in place of Jamal since his mom grounded him for being a thief.", said Kevin.

"Yeah, and she should be coming down here any minute now.", said Steve. "Well, she better get down here soon. You know there's only 24 hours in St. Patrick's Day.", said Amanda. "Don't worry guys, she won't be that long.", said Kevin.

Then some footsteps were heard walking down the basement stairs. "That must be her right now!", said Steve. And then there was Anna.

She went into the basement with the camcorder already in hand. She then proceeded to start recording the band's special St. Patrick's Day performance. "Alright guys, I'm ready to start recording.", said Anna.

"Alright mom, we're all gonna start getting ready to perform.", said Kevin. "Alright, let's all get into place and get ready to do this.", said Steve. Then the whole band got ready to perform.

They went ahead and started performing a few St. Patrick's Day-related songs that a few of them wrote themselves. They were performing and were on their A-game with those first few songs. It was a great performance overall when it was happening. Then they were finished with those first few songs.

"That was awesome you guys!", said Anna. "Yeah, too bad Jamal couldn't be here to witness what we just recently accomplished.", said Kevin. "Well, you heard what he said about earlier. He made the wrong decision, and is missing out.", said Steve.

"Did we forget to tell Amanda about the weird dream Jamal had?", said Kevin. "I think you did. I don't remember being told about a dream. Was I in it?", said Amanda. "You sure were Amanda.", said Steve.

"We'll tell you all about it at school tomorrow.", said Kevin. "Well, can I at least get a hint, guys?", said Amanda. "Yeah, I decide to leave the band in the future to pursue a solo musical career.", said Kevin.

"What?! That's what Jamal dreamed?! I would expect something like that for Kevin to dream.", said, Ariana. "Well, that's the only hint Amanda and everybody else here is getting about the dream.", said Steve. "Yeah, we have way too many songs to perform while it's still March 17.", said Kevin.

"Well, I guess you guys are right. Let's continue this holiday on the right foot.", said Amanda. "Now there's the holiday spirit Amanda!", said Steve. Then St. Patrick's Day continued.

***

It was now Tuesday, March 19, 2002. I got off the school bus after another fine day in elementary school. I went to my door and knocked on it.

Then my mom opened the door. I came in. Then I put up my backpack with no coat on since the weather warmed up just enough for me not to wear a coat that day.

"Is my punishment over now mom?", I said. "Yes, it is. I put your phone back into your room while you were at school. Now, I hope you learned a very valuable lesson out of all this.", my mom said. "I sure did mom. I'm never gonna steal another thing in my life ever again.", I said.

"That's good to hear. Because the punishment will be much, much worse the next time I find out you tried to steal something else.", my mom said. Then my mom left the living room. Then I got the TV remote in the living room and turned on the TV.

I sat down on the living room couch after a long day of school to relax and watch some Nickelodeon. Then my mom came back into the living room. "Jamal, I think one of your friends is calling you.", my mom said as my phone was ringing.

"I'll get it later. I'm watching something right now.", I said. Then my mom left the living room. And I continued my time watching TV.

***

It was Wednesday, March 20, 2002, the next day. Two Seconds To Detroit got together to practice yet again right after school in the same location where they usually practice. I arrived there to record for the very first time after the first time I've been grounded.

Once I arrived, everybody was happy to see me back. "Well, look who just came back!", said Kevin. "Welcome back Jamal! It felt like forever doing this music thing without you.", said, Ariana. "We're all happy to see you recording again Jamal.", said Amanda.

"I'm happy to be recording again myself.", I said. "So, can you all tell me what I've missed outside of school these past two weeks?", I said. "Well, Steve and Kevin told me and the rest of us about the dream you had.", said Amanda.

"Yeah, pretty weird dream.", I said. "And we've had a pretty cool time performing on St. Patrick's Day.", said Nathan. "You performed on St. Patrick's Day?!", I said.

"We sure did. It was amazing.", said Brad. "And Steve and Kevin had their mom record for just that one day since it was a special day that only happens once out of 365 days.", said, Ariana. "Well, I'm gonna try and not make any more improper decisions that might make me miss out on anything else in my life. The bottom line is this, no more stealing. And no more wasted time", I said.

"That's great to hear Jamal! Now, why don't you get to that camcorder so you can start recording? And let's start playing some music.", said Steve. "Awesome. I'm getting on it right now.", I said. Then everybody, including me, got ready to perform their usual duties.

"3...2...1...", said Steve. Two Seconds To Detroit started performing Been Caught Stealing by Jane's Addiction. "Alright, I see what you did there guys!", I said while I was recording with a smile on my face.

Luckily for me, I didn't miss this practice session. And the band continued to perform that song. And the rest is history.